Kennedy Says Bush Made Right Decision on Iraq War (posted April 20, 2003)
Congressman Patrick Kennedy believes President George W. Bush made the "right decision" on going to war with Iraq. Speaking on the WJAR-TV show "10 News Conference", Kennedy told Jim Taricani that "we are a much safer world with Saddam gone." Rather than looking the other way while various nations harbored terrorists, Kennedy applauded Bush for confronting Hussein and putting pressure on Syria not to harbor terrorism. Kennedy was the only member of the Rhode Island delegation to back Bush's decision to go to war.
Kennedy also called on the United States to end its support of various monarchies and dictatorships in the Middle East. "We run a greater risk lining up with autocratic regimes" (such as Saudi Arabia), Kennedy noted. America should align itself with "the people on the street" in those countries.
The Congressman was far less charitable toward Bush's domestic policies. Kennedy continued his criticism of Bush's tax policies, saying the president's tax cuts were geared to the wealthy. He also noted that Bush has proposed reducing pensions and disability health benefits for military veterans, which Kennedy claims is hypocrtical on the part of the president. Kennedy is supporting his long-time friend, Congressman Richard Gephardt, for president.
